There’s a big dilemma in many workplaces currently. Should we have a Christmas party or not?

Government ministers have said they can go ahead, but it would take some cheek for them to ban Christmas works parties as details about their fun last year come out in the press.

Thérèse Coffey said would should avoid snogging under the mistletoe.

Hearing a politician talk about snogging so much has cured me of my urge to do it for months.

Downing Street then conformed that there are no restrictions on snogging. I presume you still have to ask for permission from the recipient though.

Dominic Raab also said, “I’m not going start telling people who they can’t kiss.”

It’s a shame he didn’t try doing that when he was around Matt Hancock.

I think we should cancel the work’s Christmas party. It’s not a worry about the new omicron variant, but that is a useful thing to blame it on. A Christmas do is a terrible event.

The concept is flawed.

For the rest of the year we spend our social time with the people we know and like socially.

For some reason the festive period comes with the expectation that we should have a big night out with the people you wouldn’t know if you weren’t literally paid to spend time with them.

They have always been a super-spreader even even before this novel coronavirus.

If we want to ease pressure on the NHS let’s send fewer people with rashes that they can’t explain to their spouses. Snogging in stationery cupboards is a great way to pass on whatever you have got.

While I am being an introverted grump, the omicron variant is a useful reason to ban secret Santa in the office. It’s just more for the to-do list.

Maybe it’s the offices I used to work in but their secret Santas always went the same way; it was basically buying adult toys or inflatable items for your co-workers.

If you secretly bought a blow-up doll for the receptionist any other time of the year you’d be on your way to a human resources meeting.

Government guidance also says: "You should still continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces."

Do I think you should wear a face mask at a Christmas party? No, not really. You don’t have to in pubs so why would you here?

But if we all adopted the practice it means those of us who don’t like festive get-together can stay at home and if anyone asks we can say, “No, I was there. I guess you didn’t recognise me with all the masks.”